6 reviews liked by Brendo
Reel Steal
2023
This is currently my least favorite Catalog game, but there's still stuff to like here. The music is good, the character art is charming, and the overall narrative concept of stealing treasures from billionaires is cute. I like the heist theme, I just wish it felt more like a heist game. The gameplay is essentially a timing-based vertical platformer: you control the vertical position of the thief with the crank and horizontal movement is automatic but the direction can be toggled. There isn't any tension, as security cameras and lasers only fill up a meter that can knock you off the hook if you stay in their line-of-sight long enough. Obstacles become no threat just by cranking through them at a mildly quick pace. Collecting all three medals on each level would be a little more of a challenge, but the movement is too loose for it to feel satisfying (plus there isn't a chapter select so replays aren't easy). Beating the game lets you play the campaign again as new characters, but the core mechanics remain the same and the levels only get a little bit more challenging.
Overall, the game is worth trying for the low price of free, and it doesn't take very long to beat. Maybe you'll enjoy it the mechanics more than I did!
Overall, the game is worth trying for the low price of free, and it doesn't take very long to beat. Maybe you'll enjoy it the mechanics more than I did!
Reel Steal
2023
Reel Steal
2023
Cute concept with not the best execution. I like the idea of using the crank as a fishing hook to get a thief all the way to some sort of treasure, but I wasn't on board with how horizontal movement was automatic versus just using the directional pad. It's also a bit odd how you're ranked for each level, but are unable to replay levels without restarting the game. The game is charming, but mostly boring to play.